SKorea candidates join forces in presidential race

Two leading conservatives in South Korea’s presidential race unified behind one of them Thursday in a last-minute political deal that could boost their chances of victory in next week’s election.

In a joint news conference, AhnCheol-soo, who ran a distant third in recent opinion surveys, said he would withdraw to support Yoon Suk Yeol, the more popular conservative contender who remains in a tight race with ruling liberal party candidate Lee Jae-myung.Ahn said he and Yoon agreed to merge their political parties and form a coalition government if Yoon wins the election next Wednesday.Recent opinion surveys showed Yoon running as a unity candidate leading Lee by a few percentage points or running neck-and-neck.The victor in next week’s vote takes office in May for a single five-year term to succeed current President Moon Jae-in.